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Incident
Patrolman Michael Hahnel was shot and killed while transporting two men to jail. He and another officer had stopped a car for speeding at Moreland Boulevard and Lee Road and placed the two men under arrest. Unbeknownst to the officers, the two men were driving a stolen car and had just robbed a gas station. Patrolman Hahnel was riding in the backseat of their car, which was being driven to the police station when one of the occupants suddenly turned and shot him. The two then threw his body into a field on Ashwood Road, near East 140th Street, and fled. Patrolman Hahnel succumbed to his wounds four days later. One of the suspects was executed for Patrolman Hahnel's murder on April 24, 1925. The other suspect was sentenced to life. Patrolman Hahnel had served with the Shaker Heights Police Department for one year. He was survived by his father and seven siblings. He is buried in St Mary's Cemetery, Cleveland, Ohio.
Survivors
He was survived by his father and seven siblings.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
You barely got started.
Patrolman Hahnel gave the Shaker Heights Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Shaker Heights community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Hahnel.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Shaker Heights Police Department has lost 4 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Michael is one of 572 officers killed feloniously in OH, 57.6% of the 993 remembered there.
Michael is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Michael is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1924, 9 officers in OH were killed feloniously, the 10th heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1916, with 17.
In 1924, 225 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 4th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1924, 228 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Michael was 28. Of the 552 killed feloniously in OH whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46; the middle age was 38. Michael had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Michael was 28. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Michael had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Michael was 28. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Michael had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 8.4% of these deaths in OH; December holds the most, 9.6%. Mondays: 14.5%.
October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
October holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 4 deaths at Shaker Heights Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.6% of all 993 deaths in OH, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 31.6% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Shaker Heights Police Department has 4 officers remembered here, Michael among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 15-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Shaker Heights Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
